They are tall and athletic. They play a 10-man rotation, and each player has a role that seams to fit intertwined with the other.

There is a lot to like about the Port Huron High School boys basketball team. And on Tuesday all of the above factors were in play.

Marysville just didn't stand a chance. Despite the Vikings' fight and timely plays they couldn't find a way to limit Port Huron on the boards, and those second-chance points would play a big role in the Big Reds' 41-35 victory.

Port Huron (1-0) started the game on a 8-1 run, and led 8-3 entering the second quarter.

That's when the Big Reds really turned up the pressure and began to dominate. Port Huron pressed and trapped the Vikings into turnovers, and Marysville wouldn't score for the first seven minutes of the quarter.

But four late free throws allowed the Vikings to stay within striking distance, trailing 17-7.

In the third quarter the Vikings were at their best. They went on an 8-0 run to close within 19-15 midway into the quarter. But the Big Reds held them at bay and took a 22-19 lead into the fourth quarter.

Marysville got no closer, as the Port Huron defense took back over, and the Big Reds closed out the Vikings with a few makes at the strike.

"We played with a lot of energy and fight," Beedon said. "That's one of the things our team is known to do. But you can't win a game when you play offense like that."

"We played a lot of guys, and they played well," coach Ryan Biewer added. "Our offense wasn't as good as we wanted, but at least we were able to stay in it."

Port Huron will use the game in preparation for Friday's road contest at Northern.

"We made a lot of mistakes tonight, but we did some good things," Port Huron coach Kevin Landschoot said. "We were active defensively, and we got after it on the glass. That's what we have been teaching on all year.

"Those are the things that will carry us to a good year."

Contact Joseph Hayes at (810) 989-6268 or at jahayes@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @jhayes1136.